Assistant Business Manager, Harrods in London

Assistant Business Manager, Harrods in London

London Full-Time 31500 - 38500 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
La Prairie Switzerland

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a team in luxury skincare and cosmetics at Harrods, delivering exceptional client experiences.
  • Company: Join La Prairie, a prestigious brand in the heart of luxury retail.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous holidays, product discounts, and personal development opportunities.
  • Other info: Exciting career growth potential in a vibrant luxury environment.
  • Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team that transforms customer interactions into luxury experiences.
  • Qualifications: Passion for retail and experience in team leadership and customer service.

The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.

Are you passionate about retail and are driven by the world of luxury skincare and prestige cosmetics?

As an Assistant Business Manager, for La Prairie, Harrods you will have the opportunity to work alongside the Business Manager to lead and grow our beautiful brand at Harrods, London including our Spa treatment room.

This is an exceptional opportunity as Harrods accounts for 60% of our UK & Ireland Business.

You will lead and manage a team of up to ten consultants, driving performance, fostering engagement, and contributing to business growth while ensuring the delivery of exceptional client experiences.

The successful candidate will inspire and act as a role model to the team, providing best‑in‑class service and transforming every customer interaction into a true luxury experience.

Your goal will be to strengthen the brand’s positions within the skincare and makeup category, in full alignment with the brand’s strategic vision and roadmaps.

  • Main Responsibilities
  • Set and monitor daily team objectives, adapting focus throughout the day to maximise performance and support key launches and promotional activity.
  • Deliver a high standard of customer service by actively engaging clients, identifying their needs, asking appropriate follow‑up questions, and offering personalised skincare consultations.
  • Ensure every customer is introduced to the collections to enhance the overall client experience.
  • Proactively plan and organise external events to drive business growth and increase brand awareness.
  • Maintain accurate and up‑to‑date customer records within the EPOS system.
  • Ensuring excellence in Spa operations and client service, being the main point of contact for retail and spa coordination.
  • Counter Performance & Sales
  • Ensuring you work with the Business Manager on the business plan to define and monitor weekly sales targets, providing clear rationale and regular performance updates.
  • Plan and deliver tailored events and in‑store (on‑counter) activities to support achievement of the business plan, while maintaining strong awareness of competitor activity.
  • Ensure all required paperwork and administrative tasks are completed accurately and within agreed deadlines.
  • Maintain accurate stock levels, optimise stock ageing, manage tester availability, and implement timely corrective actions where required.
  • Proactively manage team absences to ensure consistent and effective counter coverage.
  • Ensure full accuracy and compliance in all sales reporting, including use of IPPOS and clienteling systems.
  • Spa Performance & Sales
  • Being the main point of contact for spa bookings, working alongside the PR manager, working with Harrods concierge, supporting in training the Harrods call centre team and driving occupancy and retail performance.
  • Drive the team to achieve individual paid Spa appointment targets.
  • Ensure and track appointment bookings so that the occupancy target is met for the Spa.
  • Engage, and coach Harrods team about Spa Services to increase appointments and loyalty to the brand.
  • Team Development & Performance Management
  • In partnership with the Business Manager you will lead, coach, and develop a team of Beauty Consultants, Makeup Artists, Spa Consultants, and stock controller ensuring excellence in performance, conduct, and client service.
  • Build and motivate high‑performing teams that consistently meet or exceed KPIs.
  • Partner with the Retail Education Manager to analyse KPIs, identify training needs, and enhance sell‑out performance.
  • Marketing & Merchandising Implementation
  • Ensure flawless execution of in‑store marketing activities in line with brand guidelines and strategy.
  • Maintain strict adherence to merchandising standards, optimising use of collateral, samples, and visual assets to maximise retail impact.
  • Uphold the La Prairie luxury image through impeccable counter presentation and consultant grooming standards.
  • Store relationship & Communication
  • To ensure that you are informed about current and new business initiatives and to provide feedback to the Business Manager & Training Manager.
  • Ensure you are up to date at all times of the HO emails and feedback to the team.
  • EPOS accuracy and compliance.
  • Ensure that you read Training Manual and Visual Merchandising Guidelines, actioning all relevant points.
  • Develop and maintain good working relationships with all store based colleagues.
  • In partnership with the Business Manager, identify and leverage local opportunities for events, additional retail spaces, and personal shopping initiatives to drive brand visibility and sales.
  • In return, La Prairie & Chantecaille offer
  • A competitive salary and discretionary commission scheme.
  • 33 holiday days (including bank holidays).
  • Generous product allocation & discount.
  • Long Service Awards starting with 3 years’ service.
  • A free product to try every time there is a new launch.
  • Contributory pension scheme – 5% employer contribution.
  • A range of opportunities to develop and grow personally and professionally.
  • 24/7 Access to Employee Assistance Programme called Lyrahealth.
  • Annual performance reviews so you know your career is going in the right direction.
  • Reports to

Harrods Business Manager. In the absence of Business Manager the Assistant Business Manager will report into the Head of Retail.

We look forward to receiving your application.

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Assistant Business Manager, Harrods in London employer: La Prairie Switzerland

La Prairie is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment at the prestigious Selfridges in London. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, team members are encouraged to excel in delivering luxury client experiences while benefiting from comprehensive training and support. The collaborative culture fosters creativity and innovation, making it a rewarding place for those passionate about beauty and skincare.

La Prairie Switzerland

Contact Details:

La Prairie Switzerland Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Assistant Business Manager, Harrods in London

Get Your Retail Game On

Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!

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Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities

Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.

Show Off Your Customer Service Skills

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We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Business Manager, Harrods in London

Team Leadership
Customer Service Excellence
Sales Performance Management
Event Planning
Client Engagement
Retail Operations Management
KPI Analysis

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.

Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at La Prairie Switzerland, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.

Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at La Prairie Switzerland and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!

Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show La Prairie Switzerland that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!

How to prepare for a job interview at La Prairie Switzerland

Show Off Your Customer Service Skills

Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!

Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems

Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!

Understand Product Knowledge

Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.

Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios

Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!